10 Annual To-Dos for All Homeowners
“Earth is what we all have in common.”—Wendall Berry
Earth Day is not about one day but rather a specific reminder to alter our daily lifestyles to ensure our planet will be able to provide sustainable and pleasurable lifestyles for future generations. On both large and small levels, there are changes we can all make to honor the Earth and live a bit greener. Here we look at three large changes and 10 smaller ones that homeowners can consider to make an environmental difference.
3 Big Changes That Can Make a Difference
Solar panels. Solar panels are one of the largest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels. The initial investment is high and it takes the average homeowner about five to 10 years to recoup price, but you can significantly reduce your energy costs and you may be eligible for tax breaks. Additionally, there are opportunities to sell energy back to the grid.
Energy-efficient appliances. According to the EPA, “Helping homeowners improve energy efficiency in their homes can be an effective strategy for local governments to reduce energy demand, help households save money, improve comfort, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” Many appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and dryers, can now be purchased in energy-efficient form at most appliance retailers, reducing overall energy demand, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Composting. Composting reduces and prevents methane emissions as well as provides agricultural benefits to the soil. Much of what is dumped into landfills in the U.S. is organic material that can be composted, but, unfortunately, it does not break down when in a landfill due to the lack of oxygen, creating methane that greatly contributes to global warming. In a piece on composting in America, Frontier Group reports that “if every community in America composted its waste, we could eliminate nearly one-third of the waste sent to landfills and incinerators, replenish vital topsoil, replace polluting chemical fertilizers, reduce methane emissions, and help sequester carbon.”
10 Small Changes That Can Make a Difference
Invest in LED light bulbs. The switch to LED light bulbs is a small and easy step to become greener. LED light bulbs use less electricity, last longer, and do not contain hazardous material.
Regularly clean the dryer filter. From saving energy, reducing allergens, and keeping your home and family safe by reducing fires, regularly cleaning your dryer filter and vent is a smart choice.
Install a water filter. Heavy plastics continue to plague the environment. By installing a water filter, you can cut down on plastic water bottles—not to mention enjoy cleaner drinking water on a regular basis.
Purchase a slow- or low-flow showerhead. Slow-flow showerheads conserve water and save energy. Some manufacturers tout almost 15,000 gallons of saved water each year per person.
Winterize your home. Check for window and door air leaks and inspect insulation.
Stop using dryer sheets and shift to natural cleaning products. Using natural cleaning products and eliminating potential toxins such as traditional dryer sheets lead to cleaner, safer air in your home. Many makers of natural cleaning products are also dedicated to more eco-friendly manufacturing processes and tend to use more recycled materials.
Clean refrigerator coils. For most homeowners, the refrigerator is one of the major energy-sucking appliances but pulling it out and vacuuming the coils can keep it working efficiently, saving both energy and money.
Recycle to the extent supported by your local community. Educating yourself about what items in your community can be recycled is the key to a successful recycling program and prevents items from unnecessarily ending up in landfills. Your local government officials and/or your town’s website can provide you with the necessary guidelines.
Embrace cold water for washes. The Cold Water Initiative reports that “about 90% of the energy the washing machine uses goes toward heating the water. Washing in cold saves energy, saves your clothes, and could help save the planet.”
Lower heat thermostat in the winter and raise air conditioner thermostat in the summer. Again, reducing energy use, even slightly, results in less carbon emissions and a healthier planet. This small act could have larger ripple effects if more homeowners leveraged it.
Finding appropriate ways to limit wasted energy and water in your home and identifying increased avenues for recycling provide powerful opportunities to make a positive global impact and secure the lasting health of our planet for future generations.
